Jack Egbert, pitcher for the Charlotte Knights (package includes a 14-person suite at Knights Stadium, throwing out the first pitch and a tour of the clubhouse)

Tonight's party starts at 7 and will feature fire throwers and a drum circle courtesy of DrumStrong. Auction starts at 8. It's free to get in and proceeds from the auction benefit the Levine Children's Hospital.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Halloween bashes are spooking Charlotte! Here's a list of events this weekend.

Friday

Glitterati Ball -- The Devil's Last Waltz: JStudio and Roxy Moorecox host this masquerade ball at the Visulite Theatre. Highlights include music by DJ Wiiz Kid and George Brazil, entertainment by Angela Lopez and the Queens of the Masquerade, the JStudio dancers, and Simone the Dollminatrix and her whipping booth. 9 p.m. 1615 Elizabeth Ave. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door (available at Common Market Southend, JStudio or by emailing glitteratiball@gmail.com).

Shiprocked! Snug Harbor hosts a Halloween Carnival with help from Scott Weaver's popular Shiprocked weekly party. Games, prizes, a drag show and costume contest. 1228 Gordon St. FREE. www.snugrock.com.

Candy + Potter's Halloween Skate Jam: $500 best costume. Partygoers will attempt to break the Michael Jackson Thriller dance world record on roller skates. Free psychic readings from Mary Beth Wrenn and magic shows from Hannibal. 21 and up. Bar will be open. 11 p.m. Kate's Skate in Indian Trail, 14500 Independence Blvd. $12 tickets available online or at the door if available. www.candyandpotter.com.

Saturday, aka Halloween

Fangtasia: Alley Cat transforms itself into a vampire-friendly nightclub with cocktails inspired by HBO's "True Blood." Bartenders will be wearing costumes from the show and Crashbox will perform the show's theme song. $500 prize for best costume. Ages 18 and up. 9 p.m. 314 N. College St. $10 for ages 21 and up; $20 for those under 21. www.groovetickets.com.

CarnEVIL 2009: One of the biggest bashes every year, CarnEVIL is back at Amos' Southend. Highlights include a performance from La Petite Mort Burlesque, a zombie fashion show, a fire performance, and food and prizes. 8 p.m. 1423 S. Tryon St. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. www.amossouthend.com.

House of Horrors: BlackFinn's costume party. $500 and more in prizes. 9 p.m. 210 E. Trade St. www.blackfinncharlotte.com.

Monster Mash: The Guys with Ties host their annual party at a new venue this year, Strike City. $750 prize for best costume. Proceeds benefit Jacob's Ladder. 8 p.m. 210 E. Trade St. $10 at the door. www.guyswithtiescharlotte.com.

Thriller: The Forum will bring in a Michael Jackson impersonator (Kenny Wizz) for this party inspired by the late singer's famous video. Full stage show and a Thriller dance at midnight. $500 prize for best costume. 9 p.m. 300 N. College St. $20. www.wanttickets.com.

Halloween Pub Crawl: Rich and Bennett of St. Paddy's Day fame host this costume crawl around uptown. Hit all the parties at one price: Dixie's, Tilt, Phil's Tavern, Town Tavern, Alley Cat, Forum, The Attic/Madison's, Buckhead Saloon and the EpiCentre's Halloween concert at the Pavilion. Prizes for best individual and group costumes. Crawling starts at 1 p.m. at Dixie's. 301 E. Seventh St. $20 at one of three pre-registration parties; $25 online or $30 day of. More info at www.rockhouseevents.com.

Thriller: Whisky River is also hosting a party named for Michael Jackson's zombie-filled video. $500 prize for best costume. www.whiskyrivercharlotte.com.

Nightmare on Montford: Andrew Blair's restaurant, along with Paschal Promotions and CBAY present this costume party. $250 for best individual costume; $300 bar tab (for future use) for best group costume. Restaurant is offering a three-course dinner for $20 per person if you arrive early. Call for reservations. 8 p.m. 1600 Montford Drive. $5 cover includes one free draft beer while supplies last. www.andrewblairs.com.

Danse Macabre: Presented by SingleCell Productions at Dammit Janet nightclub. Live music from Mindless Faith, Angels on Acid, SOUL and more. Performances from all your Purgatory favorites, back together again. Ages 18 and up. 8 p.m. 3746 N. Davidson St. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. www.singlecell.us.

Angry Ale's: The Montford Drive hotspot moves its Halloween party outside to the parking lot. The Masonboro Boys perform live on the patio. Outside bars with flip cup, beer pong and cornhole. Specials include jello shots and Big A$$ Bud Light cans. Costume prizes include $250 bar tab for best individual costume, $400 bar tab for best group costume and $250 bar tab for sexiest costume. 1518 Montford Drive. No cover. www.angryales.com.

PlayDate: The Halloween-themed version of this popular monthly party. Fun games from poker to chess, Simon Says to Pac-Man. Food and drinks available for purchase. 9 p.m. Jillian's, 200 E. Bland St. $10. www.playdatecharlotte.com.

Milestone Club: Come to this famous music club for its annual Halloween party featuring such local bands as Cement Stars, LA Tool and Die, Gaston County Swingers Club, Human Pippi Armstrong and Yes Professor. Bands will be dressing up as such iconic performers at INXS, Meatloaf, David Bowie and The Strokes and playing those bands' songs. 8 p.m. 3400 Tuckaseegee Road. $5 over 21; $7 under 21. www.themilestoneclub.com.

Heaven and Hell: First annual Halloween party at Hickory Tavern. Angels and demons will mingle for one night only. Food and drink specials, costume prizes and music from DJ Emilio Havana. $200 for best costume. $150 for best angel. $150 for best devil. 9 p.m. 2005 East Arbors Drive. www.thehickorytavern.com.

Zombie Stock 2009: Halo hosts its first Halloween party as part of its popular Marquee Saturdays. Slogan: "Where the dead will come to party like rockstars." $1,000 cash costume prize. 9 p.m. 820 Hamilton St. For more info, e-mail MarqueeSaturdays@haloclt.com.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Current and former Panthers players gathered at Bank of America Stadium on Monday night to help fight hunger.

Thomas Davis, Jeff King, Damione Lewis, Mike Rucker, Dan Morgan and Matt Moore were some of the guys on hand to mingle with guests at the annual Taste of the Panthers event, which featured food and wine from the area's top restaurants.

It was all part of a fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina as the organization works to keep up with increasing demand in an economy where donations are down. (Tickets for the Taste event, however, were up by more than double over last year's party.)

The Panthers did their part by auctioning off autographed memorabilia, jewelry from Perry's and a Harley Davidson that went to one very thrilled couple.

As holiday season quickly approaches, Taste of the Panthers offered some good reminders for others planning similar fundraising fetes:

Do have enough high-top tables for people to perch with their food. It's a good way to get people to socializing and takes the awkwardness out of eating standing up. (Ushers also swiftly cleared tables of trash to keep them clean and open to other partygoers.)

Don't keep the fluorescent lights on. It's never flattering and it takes away from the festive atmosphere.

Do book an appropriate band. The Carey Simms Trio provided a perfect mix of party tunes Monday at a decibel level that suited the event (read: people could actually hold a conversation, but still enjoy the music if they wanted to).

All in all, it was a good night for the Panthers to put aside their record and focus on raising money for an organization in need. Well done, guys.

Charlotte’s Oktoberfest this weekend is sold out, but if you want your fall beer fix, you can gas up the car and head to Hickory. The three-day festival downtown will feature two beer gardens, food vendors, craft booths, three stages of live entertainment (polka to rock ‘n’ roll), and kid-friendly activities, too.

Plaza Midwood and the Chantilly neighborhoods hold their sixth annual chili cookoff with music from the Loose Lugnuts, Belmont Playboys, Time, Aqualads, Johnson Boys, and Nita Belk and the Swingin’ Soirees. All you can eat chili. See if last year’s chili winners can defend their title. Family friendly fun by day, adult party at night. Proceeds benefit Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte. The event is rain or shine.

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Columbus Day? Come play Best Bars Charlotte Columbus Day Golf Tournament to benefit cystic fibrosis. Entry fee includes greens fees, cart fees, range balls, breakfast, lunch and dinner, embroidered golf shirt, transportation to and from the course, prizes and all beverages.

Test your poker skills against 2004 champion Gregory Raymer and other current and former sports celebs at the first Queen City Shootout charity poker tournament. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For those who'd rather watch, bands Occasional Milkshake, Craving Melon and Blue Dogs will perform.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Step inside a new nightlife venue in Charlotte these days and you're likely to come face-to-face with at least one giant gold Buddha.

Dharma has one, as does Enso, and when Fiji Sushi Bar & Lounge and the adjoining Kashmir nightclub open this weekend, you won't be able to avoid running into one just like that drunken one night stand you're hopelessly trying to dodge.

Yes, Eastern influence is all the rage in Charlotte right now, and Fiji and Kashmir are the latest to join in the philosophical fun.

I got a preview of the two new venues this weekend. Fiji is in the former home of Feast and Kashmir is in the final resting place of Liv.

Let's start with Fiji.

The Crowd: Management says the restaurant will be heavily influenced by Charlotte's fashion scene. TVs will be tuned into fashion channels, not football. A removable catwalk is being built that will be used for such fashion shows as the one Jordano's is doing at this weekend's grand opening. Expect well-heeled young professionals to turn out for sushi and fashion.

The Scene: Lots of red and white furniture (possibly refurbished from Feast) and a logo eerily similar to the Enso circle displayed prominently around the EpiCentre restaurant. Gone is the huge bar in the middle of the restaurant. Instead a long sushi bar with a waterfall for a backdrop has been added off to the side with a smaller full-service bar tucked into the front corner.

Food and Drink: I sampled some of the sushi and my wimpy palate for raw fish was impressed. The restaurant's Peruvian chef has managed to update many of the usual stale rolls with new flavors. My favorite of the night: the Firecracker Roll. Crunchy, sweet and spicy. For cocktails, try one of the Johnny Love mixed drinks. The brand of vodka popular out west is making its Charlotte debut.

Now, let's head downstairs to Kashmir.

With the low ceilings and minimal lighting, it feels like you're walking into an illegal, underground speakeasy where you can hide in shadowy corners. The layout hasn't changed much from Liv: same bar, same lounge furniture and the same mirror that tricks people into thinking it's another room (sit and watch how many people run into it one night. It's entertaining). As one partygoer said: "It's basically like Liv, with a bunch of Asian decorations added to it."

One new addition is the Zen Lounge or as the club's Chandler Alan Beal says, "Charlotte's first true VIP room." To access the lounge, you'll need to be a VIP gold card member, which entitles you to:

Entry for yourself and three guests

Private VIP entrance and exit with security detail if requested

Complimentary valet parking

Complimentary coat check

Onsite massage therapists

Concierge services

In addition, a table inside the lounge will feature T1 Visions touchscreen technology where you can order food and drinks, reserve a hotel room, access the Internet and more. It's the first in Charlotte in a nightclub setting. T1 Tapas in Huntersville also uses the technology.

The Curse: Beal acknowledges the curse that has seemingly plagued that stretch of Fifth Street between Church and Tryon streets (its victims include Twist, Daddy's, Menage, Hom and Belle's BBQ). He's hoping the two new openings will revitalize the area. In fact, the theme for Kashmir's Halloween party is "Nightmare on 5th Street: Lift The Curse."

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Blue Monday will be the first band to play in the new (old) space, which has been entirely renovated.

The party re-starts this Friday.

***UPDATE*** The Double Door will NOT be opening this weekend due to a problem with the ABC permit. Owners say they are working hard to fix the issue. I'll keep you updated on the rescheduled re-grand opening. ***UPDATE***

Sarah Aarthun is the Observer's pop culture writer. When she's not devouring Entertainment Weekly or writing about local and national celebrities for The 'A' List in the Observer, she can be found at hot spots around town.